Restore a Real Historic Chinese Book in Shanghai

Shanghai, China
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Duration2h
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, French
Group sizeUp to 4 travelers

Overview

You probably didn’t come to Shanghai expecting to get your hands on a real Qing dynasty book — let alone help restore one.

This is one of those experiences that’s genuinely hard to find: step inside a local antique shop, work with an authentic book page from the late Qing dynasty, and spend two quiet hours doing something almost completely removed from modern life.

Just you, your hands, and a piece of the past.

And this isn’t a replica or a craft made to look old. You’ll be working with the real thing — a page that has survived for more than a century — learning how to repair it using traditional conservation techniques under the guidance of a professional book conservator.

The page stays with the collection, where your restoration becomes part of its continuing story.

You won’t find this at the usual Shanghai attractions — and that’s exactly the point.

What's included

  • All traditional book restoration tools and materials
  • REAL historic book page

What to expect

What you'll do

Meet a side of China most visitors never see.
1. Get to know China's ancient books
Start inside a neighborhood antique shop, where you'll discover guji (古籍) — traditional Chinese books that have been made and preserved for centuries. Learn how they're bound, why they look so different from Western books, and the stories hidden inside their pages.

2. See how time leaves its marks
Look closely at real historic pages and learn how conservators read insect holes, water stains, tears, and aging — each one revealing part of a book's journey through time.

3. Restore a real historic page
This is NOT a replica. You'll repair an authentic page from a historic Chinese book using traditional restoration techniques, choosing the right repair paper and carefully mending it with your host's guidance.

4. Explore the hidden treasures around you
Since the workshop takes place inside an antique shop, you'll also get to browse old books and unexpected objects that rarely make it into museums — and hear the stories behind them from someone who works with them every day.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send you the detailed meeting address and everything you need to know to find us easily.

End point

Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll send you the detailed meeting address and everything you need to know to find us easily.

Additional information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
From
$76.00 per person
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  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
  • Instant confirmation
  • You'll choose your date and travelers and pay on viator.com. Prices vary by date, group size and option.
Operated by China IRL · Booked through Viator
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